WORD
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN EMBASSY JERUSALEM // JULY/AUGUST 2020 // GLOBAL EDITION
FROM JERUSALEM
30 YEARS May 2020
OF ALIYAH
URGENT ALIYAH CAMPAIGN! See details inside, pages 12-13
FROM THE
PRESIDENT'S DESK As you open this magazine, we are in a time when many countries are entering a ‘second wave’ of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Israel and elsewhere, infection rates are again on the rise. But by the grace of God our work continues unabated. Since Corona travel bans and lockdowns first began in late February, the ICEJ has brought an average of more than one Aliyah flight every week with new Jewish immigrants to Israel. Thanks to Christians like you, the ICEJ sponsored flights for over 1,000 new immigrants in total over the past four months. Going forward, we are working closely with the Jewish Agency to keep this pace of flying 250 new immigrants to Israel each month through the end of the year. Please prayerfully consider joining our ‘Rescue250’ challenge (see p. 12-13), as we seek to fund emergency flights for Jews in dire circumstances due to Corona and other factors.
The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem was established in 1980 in recognition of the biblical significance of Jerusalem and its unique connection to the Jewish people. Today the ICEJ represents millions of Christians, churches and denominations to the nation and people of Israel. We recognise in the restoration of Israel the faithfulness of God to keep His ancient covenant with the Jewish people. Our main objectives are:
* To stand with Israel in support and friendship; * To equip and teach the worldwide Church regarding God’s purposes with Israel and the nations of the Middle East; * To be an active voice of reconciliation between Jews, Christians and Arabs and to support the churches and congregations in the Holy Land.
From its head offices in Jerusalem, the ICEJ reaches out to more than 170 countries, with branch offices in over 90 nations. Our vision is: * To reach every segment of Israeli society with a Christian testimony of comfort and love, and * To reach and actively represent to Israel the support of denominations, churches and believers from every nation on earth. The Christian Embassy is a non-denominational faith-based ministry supported by the voluntary contributions of our members and friends across the globe. We invite you to join with us as we minister to Israel and the Jewish people worldwide by donating to the ongoing work and witness of the ICEJ.
WORD FROM JERUSALEM
CREDITS ICEJ President Dr Jürgen Bühler VP International Affairs Mojmir Kallus VP Finance David Van der Walt VP Operations Barry R. Denison VP International Spokesman David Parsons VP AID & Aliyah Nicole Yoder Managing Editor/Publications Director Julaine Stark Assistant Managing Editor Kayla Muchnik Staff Writers Lily Sironi, Anastasiya Gooding, Laurina Driesse Graphic Design/Illustrator Ryan Tsuen Administration Tobi H Photography Shutterstock, ICEJ Staff and Branches, JAFI, Wikimedia Commons The New King James Bible is used for all Bible references unless otherwise noted. Word From Jerusalem is published by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Word From Jerusalem has no subscription price and is supported through contributions worldwide. All gifts to this ministry are tax-deductible (in countries where this applies). For more information, visit us at www.icej.org INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN EMBASSY JERUSALEM P.O. Box 1192, Jerusalem • 9101002, ISRAEL
Support our ministry online at www.icej.org
We also recently marked a special occasion of 30 years of Aliyah flights sponsored by the ICEJ. I will never forget Christian Stephan, the former leader of the ICEJ-Germany branch, telling me the story of how in early 1990 he felt called to act just months after the gates of the former Soviet Union had opened to finally “Let My people go!” Armed with a cheque of some US$ 200,000, he flew to Jerusalem and told the ICEJ board: “Now our hour has come! We need to fly the Jews back to Israel!” Little did he know that God had spoken exactly the same way to Ulla Jarvilehto, our former national director in Finland. Together, they sponsored the ICEJ’s very first charter flight of Jews making Aliyah from Russia, which landed at Ben-Gurion Airport on 28 May 1990. And the story continues, as Jews are still coming on ‘eagle’s wings’ back to the Land of their fathers, just as the prophets foretold. We can rejoice in God’s faithfulness, as the ICEJ has now assisted more than 157,000 Jews to make Aliyah since our founding 40 years ago. Our very active staff has continued or developed many other great initiatives across Israel to bless the Jewish people during the COVID-19 crisis. One fruit of the current crisis is a very spiritual one. Around the world, our leaders are praying together more than ever. Our weekly Global Prayer Gatherings have attracted believers from over 100 nations, including many Arab countries. In May, we also hosted a 12-hour prayer marathon on the Jewish holiday of Shavuot (Pentecost). It met with such enthusiasm that we started a monthly 24-hour prayer chain on every Rosh Chodesh (Numbers 10 and 28), the festival of the new moon according to the Hebrew calendar. I want to personally invite you to join us in drawing closer to God with believers from around the world. Finally, I want to assure you that we continue planning the Feast of Tabernacles at full force. While we are not 100% sure how the Feast will be shaped, we do know it will take place. This is not a feast of the ICEJ, but “the Feast of the Lord!” So please be ready to join us either personally by coming to Jerusalem (if possible), or join this year for the first time as a ‘virtual Feast pilgrim’ through the many exciting programs we will broadcast live during Sukkot. Please stay tuned for more information at feast.icej.org! Finally, please continue to uphold us in prayer. It is a challenging season and we are more dependent on your prayers than ever before. May the Lord bless you richly from Zion! Yours in Christ,
Dr Jürgen Bühler President International Christian Embassy Jerusalem COVER PHOTO: Onboard a recent Aliyah flight from Belarus sponsored by ICEJ. Photo Courtesy of JAFI. FOR MAGAZINE ARCHIVES visit www.icej.org/media/word-jerusalem
CONTENTS
4
8
PREPARE THE WAY! – PART II RESTORING FATHERS AND SONS
REVISITING THE TRUMP PEACE PLAN
14
JULY/AUGUST 2020 GLOBAL EDITION
BRINGING HOPE TO CHRISTIANS IN NAZARETH
10
CHRISTIAN EMBASSY MARKS 30 YEARS OF ALIYAH FLIGHTS
17
A HIDDEN STORY REVEALED
TEACHING
PREPARE THE WAY – PART II
RESTORING
FATHERS AND SONS BY DR JÜRGEN BÜHLER
M
alachi is the last book of the Old Testament in our Christian Bible. This prophet represents the very last words of the Old Testament era. Some theologians call the following 400 years the ‘time of silence’, when God would not speak again until His son Jesus came. This is how the Old Testament ends:
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ICEJ PRESIDENT
prepare the way before Me” – a clear reference to John the Baptist (Matthew 11:10). At the very end of the book, God again declares: “Behold I will send!” – revealing another facet of the ministry of John the Baptist, the one who came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17).
There are two underlying principles which define this Elijah ministry: First, it is a Godinitiative. This is not a plan of man, but God “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord says, “I will do it!” That leaves us with great comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers hope, since it is not dependent upon man but to their children and God, its success is the hearts of children secured! We just need “I WILL SEND MY MESSENGER to their fathers, lest I to align and submit come and strike the ourselves to this great AND HE WILL PREPARE THE land with a decree of plan of God. WAY BEFORE ME” utter destruction.” - Malachi 3:1 (Malachi 4:5-6/ESV) Secondly, this Elijah ministry needs the maximum attention possible. Malachi warns It is the second “I will send” message in the book of Malachi. Already in verse 3:1, God that the success of this Elijah figure will be of declares: “I will send My messenger and he will vital importance, otherwise God will “strike 4 | JULY/AUGUST 2020
the land with a decree of utter destruction.” That means we cannot underestimate the importance of the Elijah ministry in the end times. It requires everyone’s attention; not only pastors and leaders but every member of the Body of Christ needs to submit to this heavenly agenda.
1.
TEACHING
The mission of this Elijah spirit seems rather unexpected. Elijah’s calling is focused on family relations. He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Fathers and sons. Mothers and daughters. It is the generational and familiar relationships that matter to God in a great way. In our individualistic Western societies, families are losing their importance. The family structure today is more under attack than ever before. Even the policies of many governments around the world undermine the biblical concept of a godly family, of a father and mother bearing and raising upright offspring. The biblical concepts of man and woman are under attack. Divorce rates are at record highs. Meanwhile, the mother’s womb was once a proverbial symbol of safety, but now it has become the most insecure place for an unborn child as millions of babies are killed in their mother’s womb before they have a chance to live. The relationship between fathers and sons, and between God the Father and His children, can be defined through three different levels which all apply to our lives. 1
families learn to read is Leviticus) and ceremony (e.g., the bar mitzva). This did not change when they got to New Testament times. Often, we hear that whole households got saved and baptized. When God called Cornelius, the very first Gentile to receive the Gospel, He promised him… “you shall be saved, you and your household” (Acts 11:14). Paul gave the same promise to the jailor at Philippi… “you will be saved, you and your household” (Act 16:31). My own family experienced this when God invaded the Bühler home some 80 years ago. He sovereignly touched my grandmother, and her whole family got saved. And this blessing carries on even to all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. As you read this, I ask you to have faith in God not just for your own salvation but for your whole household. God wants “all the families of the earth” to be blessed.
“HONOUR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER, THAT
PERSONAL FAMILY CALLING When God called Abraham to be a blessing to the world and to father a people who would bring salvation and faith to the ends of the earth, He made it clear that this blessing was not just a blessing of a few individuals. Rather, God declared, “in you all the Families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).
YOUR DAYS MAY BE LONG
It is important to note that even the very purpose of God in calling Abraham focused on his own family relationship: “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” (Genesis 18:19) It was essential for Abraham’s calling that he would not serve just as an individual, but God saw the generational family bond as central in that calling.
Also, it means fathers in particular, you must assume your role as a priest over your family. The priestly role is to pray for your children and to teach them the ways of God. Do not leave this important task just to the church in Sunday school. Fathers are the most important role models in the life of a child.
Undoubtedly, the Jewish people today are an example to all the world of a faith and tradition that is not just kept individually, but it is passed on to the next generation through study (the first book children in observant
UPON THE LAND WHICH THE LORD YOUR GOD IS GIVING YOU.” - Exodus 20:12 -
Of course, the same role applies to mothers regarding their children. As I write this, I am still mourning the passing of my mother just a few days ago. Both my parents were models to me as they followed Jesus. Make the decision today like Joshua did: “Me and my house, we will follow the Lord!” And of course, the same passage also applies for children. God engraved the relationship of 5 | WORD FROM JERUSALEM
children to their parents at the center of the Ten Commandments. “Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). Paul makes a point that this commandment is the first one which carries a blessing – one of long life. He also reminds us that in the last days this biblical value and commandment will be undermined, as children will be “disobedient to parents” (Romans 1:30). As children, we are called to honour our fathers and mothers no matter how old we are or how old they are! Much more can be said about this, but there is another level of this Elijah restoration that applies to us which we must consider. 2
THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS There is another relationship concerning fathers, namely the “faith of our fathers”. In Malachi 2:10, God admonishes Israel about forsaking the “covenant of our fathers”. Now the faith of the Bible is a faith of ‘new things’. It is a faith where every generation must find the way to serve God in their own way. God repeatedly announces throughout the prophets that He is doing a “new thing” (Isaiah 42:8; 43:19). He consequently rebukes people who never change but get stuck in their old traditions and ways of doing things (Jeremiah 48:11). At the same time, change should never, ever alter or shake the foundations of our faith as revealed in the word of God. One thing which never changes is biblical truth, values and doctrines, simply because God does not change. Our means of communication, musical and rhetorical styles, or our order of service might change, but the message itself must never change. What God called “sin” two thousand years ago is still sin today. What God called “righteous and just” in the Bible will not be unrighteous and unjust today. Churches and believers do well today to find their orientation in the early Church in Jerusalem, the model church established by the first apostles. The four great principles of the early Church – the apostles’ teachings, fellowship of the saints, the breaking of bread, and prayer – are indispensable for any church or community that seeks a move of God. This is why Israel’s prophets called upon “you who pursue righteousness […] look to the rock from
TEACHING
which you were hewn […] look to Abraham your father and Sarah who bore you…“ (Isaiah 51:1f) The truths that brought revival 200 years ago will not be abandoned today. Repentance and prayer are as essential today as they were in past revivals. There is no quick-fix, downloadable, instant revival which suits our modern lifestyle. The lives of John Wesley, George Whitefield, William J. Seymour or Reinhard Bonnke might significantly differ in style, but all carried the same DNA of a holy and dedicated life to Jesus. The old rugged Cross is still old and rugged today. But as we hold fast to it and proclaim it, the Cross will release its power full and fresh even in our post-modern world.
Testament in a very particular way. From the 57 occurrences of “fathers” in the NKJV, for example, over fifty refer to the fathers or Patriarchs of Israel. Thus, “the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers” (Acts 3:13); “your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness” (John 6:49); “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers” (Acts 28:25). Altogether, some fifty New Testament passages relate to the Jewish people of Old Testament times. Paul declares concerning Israel, “of whom are the fathers’ (Romans 9:5).
THAT MEANS ISRAEL IN ALL THEIR GENERATIONS – FROM ABRAHAM TO MOSES
The call of Elijah is to uncover old wells that might have been stopped for decades and even centuries but, as we do, those wells will flow anew with fresh, living waters. This is what Elijah did when he re-erected the altar of God that was laying in ruins (1Kings 18:30).
TO THE PROPHETS – ARE TO BE CONSIDERED
Foundations are so central to our faith that the heavenly Jerusalem holds an unshakable and unchanging foundation of the twelve Apostles, and the twelve entry gates to the city are even more ancient as they have the names of the twelve tribal leaders of Israel.
That means Israel in all their generations – from Abraham to Moses to the prophets – are to be considered as our fathers. This is a traditional understanding which has characterised Israel for centuries, to such a degree that the Talmud titles a whole book Pirkei Avod which means “the sayings of the fathers.”
It was likely for this reason that the angel who appeared to Zechariah slightly altered the quote of Malachi 4:5: “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17). John the Baptist arrived in a generation that desperately needed to turn back to the principles of old. They had departed so much that the angel called them “disobedient”. John’s main message, therefore, was one of repentance. This ‘repentance’ in the Hebrew language means both to reverse and to turn in the direction you came from. 11.
The spirit of Elijah thus represents not just a great hope and expectation for revival and signs and wonders, but it also represents lives of radically devoted believers who will uncompromisingly walk in the paths of the fathers and in doing so they will conquer new land!
AS OUR FATHERS.
Now you might argue that this may be true for only the ‘good Israelites’, like Abraham, Moses, etc. But two New Testament passages are especially noteworthy. In the book of Acts, both Stephen and Paul face very hostile crowds that want to kill them. Both preach to these mobs before they attack. And both address them the same amazing way: “Brothers and fathers, listen…” (Acts 7:2; 22:1). This reminds us of what Paul also declared about Israel: that even though they might be enemies of the gospel, they are “still beloved for the sake of the fathers” (Romans 11:28). Further, when we look at how the New Testament portrays the Church, we find that Jesus called his disciples “children” (e.g., John 21:5) and Paul and John both address the Church as “children” (Galatians 4:19; 1 John 2:1). This means the relationship between the Church and the people of Israel can be viewed as one between fathers and children. The recent line of Catholic popes often refers to the Jewish people as “our elder brothers”. Nor would it be incorrect to call them our fathers. This is how the Apostles called them. Christianity was born out of the covenant of God with Israel. All that defines our faith today was given to us by the Jews. Our Bible was written by Jews – Jewish patriarchs, prophets and apostles all pointing us to a Jewish Messiah, who in heaven is still called the “Lion of the tribe of Judah”. That is why Jesus declared to the Samaritan woman that “salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22).
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THE FATHERS OF OUR FAITH The third implication relates to an area which the Church has struggled with for most of its history. It has to do with our relationship to the Jewish people. A search in your computer Bible program or concordance will quickly show that the word ‘fathers’ (plural) is mainly used throughout the New
This means our relationship as the Church to Israel is as important as the relationship between fathers and children. Of course, the same is true the other way around. But it was mainly the Church which over the centuries dishonoured their fathers in many ways. It is time not only to repent but to show the “fruit of repentance”, as John the Baptist sought.
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TEACHING
This Elijah ministry is an end-time ministry, and as such it means that no believer or church can ignore it in these last days. I believe the lastdays Church, the Bride of Christ, cannot afford to ignore or side-line the family of Jesus, the Jewish people, any longer. The spirit of Elijah urges us to be in right relation with the fathers.
“A SON HONOURS HIS FATHER, AND A SERVANT HIS MASTER. IF THEN I AM THE FATHER, WHERE IS MY HONOUR? AND IF I AM A MASTER, WHERE IS MY REVERENCE? SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS…”
This relationship is unconditional and cannot depend on how good they are, if they believe like we want them to believe, or if the government in Israel is a perfect government. In the natural our fathers are not perfect, yet we are still commanded to honour them. The same applies to Israel. We must honour, love and bless them. This spirit of Elijah will help us and teach us to be rightly connected with God’s people and to rightly relate to the Land of Israel which God promised to them through an eternal covenant. Otherwise, as Paul warns, we are endangering the very root of our existence – and that can be fatal (Romans 11:16ff). In light of the fifth commandment, we might forfeit the blessing that comes with honouring our father and mother. The theme for this year’s Feast of Tabernacles is “Prepare the Way”, which has much to do with this Spirit of Elijah. It has to do with family and generational restoration. These are important to God because they are rooted in the very nature of God. He is our Father! And this fatherly concern is expressed most powerfully through the prophet Malachi:
(Malachi 1:6)
Honouring God as our father, honouring our natural fathers, reconnecting to the faith of our fathers, and honouring the fathers of our faith – this all has to do with reflecting God‘s character. Let us together invite the Lord to release this Elijah anointing upon our lives and even nations. Please pray with us for the Feast of Tabernacles, that this word will be heard as a clear and loud shout around the world. Let us together ‘prepare the way’ of the Lord! 1. ‘ Der Prophet Elias in der Wüste’ (The Prophet Elijah in the Desert) by Moritz Berendt, c. 1834, Philadelphia Museum of Art. Wikipedia public domain 11. ‘Gabriël verschijnt aan Zacharias’ (Gabriel appears to Zacharias) Print book illustration. Item number: RP-P-1934-161. The Hague with Pieter de Hondt, c. 1728. Wikipedia public domain
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ONLY ON ENCOUNTER ISRAEL!
The Secrets of the City of David ‘Encounter Israel’ is your daily window into Israel and the ministry of the ICEJ. Airing every day on GOD TV and other Christian channels, our broadcasts take you to fascinating places in the Holy Land, such as the ancient City of David. Our recent six-part series on the City of David uncovers incredible biblical secrets hidden for centuries here in the oldest part of Jerusalem. Learn how the City of David was rediscovered some 150 years ago, what impact that had on Jewish and world history, and why this unique place is proving the Bible to be true many times over. See the site of King David’s palace, where amazing finds match up with Scripture verses precisely; view the pool where Jewish pilgrims cleansed themselves for Temple worship; and walk up the ancient road they travelled to reach the courts of the Lord. Only on Encounter Israel!
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CURRENT AFFAIRS
REVISITING THE TRUMP PEACE PLAN B Y D AV I D R . P A R S O N S , I C E J V I C E P R E S I D E N T & S E N I O R S P O K E S M A N
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t first glance the Trump peace plan appeared to have a lot of positive benefits for Israel, but now I am not so sure it would be a change for the better.
US President Donald Trump’s “vision” for peace certainly marked a welcome reversal of the trend of recent decades whereby the international community slowly whittled away at Israel’s rights and positions in the peace process. Whereas Israel was increasingly pressured to offer the Palestinians up to 100% of the West Bank for a Palestinian state, Trump’s plan dropped back to only 70%. And even with that, Israel would retain overall security control from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, and no settlements would be forcibly uprooted. The Palestinians also would have to meet some steep preconditions to qualify for statehood – e.g., disarm Hamas, accept a demilitarized state, end the ‘pay-for-slay’ welfare benefits for terrorists, and educate for peace.
now under full Israeli civil and security control, where all the settlements and most of the main roads are located. Yet Netanyahu is determined to procure the Jordan Valley, to create a security buffer between the Palestinians and Jordan, and that region already accounts for almost 20% of the 30% Israel is allowed to claim. On the conceptual map, the remaining ten percent is quickly consumed by solidifying Israel’s foothold around Jerusalem and the major settlement blocs of Ariel, Gush Etzion and the Binyamin region. As a result, little is left to secure the futures of some 15 significant settlements in northern Samaria and southern Judea. The conceptual map shows these 15 towns completely cut off from each other, and each one accessing the rest of Israel via single, narrow corridors completely surrounded by the proposed Palestinian state. The Trump plan would also impose a building freeze in those 15 settlements for the four years of proposed talks with the Palestinians.
But with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to extend sovereignty to parts of Judea/Samaria this summer, many have taken a closer look at the Trump plan and are having second thoughts. To find out why, I joined a recent tour of the northern Shomron and spoke with local Jewish community leaders there. DO THE MATH! These settlement leaders said they prefer the status quo to the unpredictable consequences of the Trump plan, as all the Israeli communities in Judea/Samaria currently can access each other and Israel proper with ease. Israelis and Palestinians peacefully share the same main roads every day because the IDF is in control of them. This includes Highway 60, the primary north-south artery which runs from Hebron to Nablus.
So although the Trump plan would not force the dismantlement of any settlements, it would leave some of them so isolated, frozen and insecure, that they would likely succumb to voluntary evacuation. As one settler leader put it, the plan intends for these communities to “dry up.” The result could be a long, slow, painful displacement involving three-to-four times the number of Israeli families uprooted in the 2005 Disengagement from Gaza.
Trump Peace Plan
However, they fear the Trump plan is going to sever Highway 60 in several key places, blocking access to local Israelis. For proof, they point to the “Conceptual Map” released with the Trump plan in January. Although reports suggest the final map is still being worked out by an AmericanIsraeli joint committee, it already reflects the Israeli consensus on which settlements should be kept in any final agreement, and it also follows the Trump plan’s express goal of creating a contiguous Palestinian state. Thus, we should not expect the map to change much. The problem here is in the math. The Trump plan would allow Israel to “annex” up to 30% of Judea/Samaria, being half of the 60% of the West Bank designated as “Area C” under the Oslo accords. These are areas
EXIT RAMPS Above all, many settler leaders and their allies are coming out against the Trump plan simply because it calls for the creation of a Palestinian state. Some are banking on the Palestinians to continue rejecting the Trump plan, as they have always done with conceptual map other peace plans. But others are worried that once Israel starts extending its laws to portions of the disputed territories, the nation will be locked into a process which could lead to a hostile Palestinian state in the heart of Israel. They are hoping the government will insist on clear exit ramps from the process for Israel should the Palestinians not comply with their obligations – which was a major point of weakness of the failed Oslo process. In addition, Israel is only assured of American recognition of its sovereignty in the 30% it annexes, which could easily be reversed by a future US president as early as next January. Meantime, Israel would be widely viewed as having permanently ceded its claim to 70% of the territories and yet will still face the fury of the rest of the world for doing so.
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ICEJ ALIYAH | 30 YEARS OF ICEJ ALIYAH FLIGHTS
A PLEA FOR PATIENCE My own view is that while the Trump team behind this plan meant well and have indeed tabled the best deal any US government has offered to Israel to resolve the Palestinian issue, I get uneasy whenever Israel gets close to giving away any part of its biblical inheritance forever. Every time Israelis have been ready to cede in perpetuity any part of their God-given land heritage to the Palestinians for the sake of peace, it always seems to blow up in their faces in the form of violence and terrorism.
for their nation. To surrender all future right and claim to major portions of Judea/Samaria just seems to me like a serious profession of unbelief, that God is not able to deliver these lands to Israel in rest and peace, as He has promised. Rather, Israel should find a way for the Palestinians to run their own lives and affairs, but without ever having to permanently relinquish its claim and title to these contested areas. In other words, something akin to the status quo – which is not perfect by any means, but still may be the best answer until God provides a better one.
Instead, the Israeli people and their leaders need to have patience and faith in God, and allow Him time and room to work out His purposes
WHY ARE SO MANY JEWS SUDDENLY WANTING TO MAKE ALIYAH? B Y D AV I D R . P A R S O N S
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ather than bringing Aliyah to a halt, the Corona crisis appears to be producing a surge in interest among Jews worldwide to move to Israel. In fact, Israeli and Jewish Agency officials are estimating that as many as 90,000 Jews will immigrate to Israel over the next 18 months. That would be nearly double the average rate of Jewish return of the past decade. There are several factors driving the Aliyah wave at present, but the main reason is the sense that Israel has done well so far in handling the Corona pandemic.
at work, although unemployment does remain abnormally high and incoming tourism is still blocked. Israel also has shown its unique national resiliency over recent months. This is a people who have become accustomed, unfortunately, to facing a myriad of crises over the decades – especially wars and natural disasters – and they know how to collectively pull together and respond.
Despite almost 18 months of political deadlock and three failed elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took firm command of the nation’s battle against the “unseen enemy” of COVID-19 and even counselled other national leaders on how to deal with the global health menace. Polls instantly gave him a decisive boost for truly taking the lead in confronting the viral threat. Finally, there are growing concerns among Jews worldwide about the sharp rise in antisemitism over recent months, as many are falsely blaming the Jewish people for the Corona pandemic as well as for the racial tensions rocking the United States and many other nations right now. Thus, there has been an dramatic increase in the number of Jews applying to make Aliyah in just about every Jewish community abroad – from Sydney to St. Petersburg to São Paulo.
Even among the world’s Jewish population alone, the difference between Israel and the Diaspora communities is quite stark. Israel is home to some 6.6 million Jews and yet it has seen around 300 deaths so far due to the Coronavirus, whereas an estimated 10,000 Jews have died from the virus to date in Europe and North America, out of a Jewish population of around 7 million. Thus, Israel is increasingly viewed as having a better health system than many other Western countries with significant Jewish communities. Israel’s economy also is seen as stronger and more able to recover from the impact of the pandemic. Many Israeli workers placed on temporary layoffs in March and April are back
Olim arrivals at Ben Gurion International Airport. This year marks the 30TH Anniversary of ICEJ-sponsored Aliyah flights
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ICEJ ALIYAH
CHRISTIAN EMBASSY MARKS 30 YEARS OF ALIYAH FLIGHTS FIRST ICEJ-SPONSORED FLIGHT LANDED IN MAY 1990 B Y D AV I D R . P A R S O N S
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he ICEJ welcomed a group of 94 new Jewish immigrants to Israel on May 26 on a special chartered plane which marked thirty years of Aliyah flights sponsored by the Christian Embassy since the first one touched down in Israel in May 1990. When the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem was founded in 1980, one of its first initiatives was to start advocating for the release of Soviet Jewry. Christians staged rallies in capitals around the world demanding “Let My People Go!” So when the Iron Curtain fell in October 1989 and the door finally opened wide for Jews to leave the Soviet Union, it was only natural for the ICEJ to start helping bring them home to Israel.
First ICEJ Flight-May1990
thus it stands as a unique milestone for the ICEJ. An excited ICEJ delegation was waiting on the tarmac to warmly welcome these exiles home, in fulfillment of biblical prophecies that the Jewish people would one day return to the Land of Israel from the “north”, and that Gentiles would be there to assist them (see e.g., Isaiah 43:6; Isaiah 49:22-23; Isaiah 60:4-16; Jeremiah 31:8). Ever since that first Aliyah flight, the Christian Embassy has funded more than 300 direct flights for Jews coming home to Israel. Once you add in all the other Jewish immigrants we have assisted along the way – whether with connecting flights, transport to airports, special grants for needy families, Hebrew language classes, Aliyah seminars, fairs and youth camps, and so much more – the ICEJ has now assisted nearly 160,00 Jews in making the journey home to Israel.
30th Anniversary ArrivalMay 2020
Actually some of the ICEJ’s earliest leaders, such as Finnish branch founder Dr. Ulla Järvilehto, were already pioneering Christian efforts to assist Jews trickling out of the Soviet bloc in the 1970s and 80s through welcome centers in Budapest and Vienna. But once Soviet Communism collapsed, the possibility opened up for bringing masses of Russian-speaking Jews directly by plane to Israel. Soon after, the ICEJ’s German branch approached the Jewish Agency with an offer to help pay for a flight of Soviet Jews and ICEJ-Finland quickly agreed to cover the other half of the costs. Thus on 28 May 1990, a special ICEJ-funded charter flight carrying several hundred Russian Jews landed at Ben-Gurion Airport. This was the first Aliyah flight fully sponsored by Christians and
This includes Jewish immigrants coming from Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Belorussia, Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Moldova, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan and Venezuela, among others. But there are many more Jewish people waiting their turn to make the move to Israel, and the interest in Aliyah is rising – despite the Corona or in many cases because of it. And the Christian Embassy needs your help in bringing them home. 1 0 | JULY/AUGUST 2020
Get involved today in ICEJ’s Aliyah efforts – give to the RESCUE250! campaign (see pg. 12-13) and “Bring Them Home”
ICEJ ALIYAH
ICEJ FLIES 1,000 JEWISH IMMIGRANTS TO ISRAEL DURING CORONA B Y D AV I D R . P A R S O N S
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espite all the recent global travel bans due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem was still able to bring a remarkable 1,000 Jewish immigrants on Aliyah flights to Israel since our first sponsored flight this year landed in late February. With planes grounded worldwide, many in Israel were expecting a pause in Jewish immigration due to COVID-19. But surprisingly the door of Aliyah has remained open, as interest in moving to Israel is on the rise. Many Jewish families even decided to move up plans to reach Israel, which they view as safer and better positioned for economic recovery.
“The Corona pandemic has brought much suffering and negative headlines all over the world, but one of the positive stories coming out of this crisis is the surprising surge in Aliyah, as many Jewish families are seeking a way to reach Israel as soon as possible”, said ICEJ President Dr. Jürgen Bühler. “We are both honoured and elated to play a key role in this unique chapter in the modern-day return to Israel, as even a global pandemic could not stop Jewish people from finding their way home to Israel.” Many of these recent Jewish arrivals came from Russian-speaking countries where the local economies are struggling and the Corona threat is still peaking. Even travel within these countries is difficult and in some areas not even allowed. Yet Jewish families have been making incredible efforts to board the flights for Israel. In several instances, pregnant mothers nearing term were determined to reach Israel in time to give birth in the Jewish homeland.
Aliyah-Ethiopian arrival In response, Israeli and Jewish Agency officials arranged ‘evacuation flights’ over recent months which continued to bring new immigrants home to Israel. The Christian Embassy supported these extraordinary efforts during the Corona crisis by funding Aliyah flights for 234 Ethiopian Jews and 766 Jews from across the former Soviet Union between February 20 and June 16. This required a total of 85 flights in all, including dozens of connecting flights for Russian-speaking olim coming from all across the vast regions of the FSU.
Watch the video at on.icej.org/aliyah1000
* ICEJ Aliyah by the numbers: Data compiled by ICEJ
In addition, the ICEJ covered many of the extra Aliyah costs incurred at this time, including two-week stays in Corona-mandated quarantine for nearly 300 new immigrants once they reached Israel. 11 | WORD FROM JERUSALEM
Aliyah-Russian flight-1000 olim More Jewish families are eagerly awaiting their chance to come to Israel. In this unique moment in history, God is urgently calling them home and He is calling on us to help! Join with Christians from around the world to make their dream of Aliyah a reality. Please consider what you can do to help.
Send your best gift today! DONATE AT: ON.ICEJ.ORG/ALIYAH
ICEJ ALIYAH
RECENT JEWISH IMMIGRANTS RELIEVED TO BE IN ISRAEL B Y A N A S TA S I YA G O O D I N G
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he ICEJ has been at the center of a remarkable wave of Aliyah over recent months despite the Corona travel bans, bringing 1,000 Jewish immigrants home to Israel since February. Many are escaping very difficult conditions, and are both thrilled and relieved they made it safely to Israel. Yaroslav and Victoria arrived recently from Ukraine and are expecting their first child. Because of the advanced stage of Victoria’s pregnancy, it was very difficult to get her on a plane. Yet somehow the Jewish Agency got them on an ICEJ-sponsored ‘rescue’ flight from Kiev to Israel in mid-April. Now released from quarantine, they are busy settling into their new home in Ramla, in central Israel. Married for little more than a year, Victoria explained why they decided to come and why now? “I really wanted our child’s birth to take place in Israel”, she said. “Now that we have made it safely here, our parents can stop worrying.” The journey to Israel began early in life for Victoria. “From my childhood, I had the feeling that I did not belong in the place where I was. When I grew up, I discovered my Jewish roots, which confirmed the truth of my experiences.”
“This is the place
where I want to be, the place that I belonged. ”
In 2017, Victoria traveled to Israel for the first time to see relatives and went back sensing “this is the place where I want to be, the place that I belonged. A new calm settled over my soul.”
Yaroslav and Victoria arrived from Ukraine and are expecting their first child
“We will live, we will work and try to give a decent life to our future generation”, said Yaroslav. Victoria plans to study languages, while Yaroslav will make professional use of his artistic skills. Even amid the pandemic, this young family is full of bright plans for their future here in Israel. “We are so happy to be here”, Victoria assured. “And we want to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped us! Because it was our dream and such a deep desire in our hearts.”
After that trip, Victoria began attending Hebrew courses and Jewish cultural events. She soon met Yaroslav, and not long after they married. He was fully supportive of her desire to start their new life together in the Jewish homeland. In fact, they took their honeymoon to Israel last year.
HELP US FILL AN ALIYAH ‘EVACUATION FLIGHT’ THIS MONTH!
“These were two unforgettable weeks that gave us the motivation to do our best to live and build a family in Israel,” Yaroslav shared. As they settle into their new life in central Israel, what is ahead for this couple?
“‘Thank you’ to everyone who helped us! Because it was our dream and such a deep desire in our hearts.”
The ICEJ flew 1,000 Jewish immigrants home to Israel between February and June, which is a remarkable rate of 250 olim (newcomers) per month during the Corona crisis. We are now challenging our friends and supporters to help us maintain that pace in the critical months ahead, when Aliyah is expected to increase.
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ICEJ ALIYAH
AN ALIYAH FAMILY OF FOUR, SOON TO BE SIX! B Y A N A S TA S I YA G O O D I N G
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or each of the 1,000 new Jewish immigrants the ICEJ has brought to Israel over recent months there is a unique story of their journey “home”. Although the Fraerman family’s recent trip took only four days, their journey to Israel spanned eleven long years. On 12 May, Serguei and Tatyana Fraerman, and daughters Olga and Elizabeth, boarded a specially chartered ‘evacuation flight’ from Moscow bound for Ben-Gurion Airport. It was still the height of the global Coronavirus lockdown, and this was the last opportunity for her to travel due to her advanced pregnancy (32 weeks with twin boys). After extra paperwork and much persuasion with airport authorities, they arrived.
Their Aliyah journey actually began back in 2009, when Serguei was still single. “My parents died when I was nine years old and at that time I did not know about Aliyah”, said Serguei. “I knew my relatives lived in Israel, but I did not know if I could go there. Only at the age of 29 did I learn this was possible and began the process of repatriation. Then I met my spouse, our first daughter was born, then the second, and another stage in my life began, with its own day-to-day problems”.
The ICEJ AID team bring gifts to the Fraerman family
Although the application process was long, they continued to collect all the necessary documents for moving to Israel. Yet with the Israel Embassy closed for quarantine and all airlines grounded, it appeared the dream was not to be. But then events began to miraculously unfold.
The Jewish Agency is calling them “evacuation flights”, since they are bringing trapped Israeli citizens back home as well as new immigrants approved for Aliyah. Priority is given to those facing urgent health concerns, rising antisemitism, and poor socioeconomic conditions. Many of these Jewish olim had planned to move to Israel over recent months, and even quit their jobs and cancelled their apartment leases already, but due to Corona they have now been stranded without home or finances. So help us bring at least 250 Jews on Aliyah “rescue flights” to Israel this coming month.
Donate today at: on.icej.org/aliyah (The estimated average costs per seat for this month is $800, which can include extra baggage allowance, connecting flights, ground transport and other costs.)
Describing his first moments in Israel, Serguei said: “At Ben Gurion Airport, we were greeted by the Jewish Agency. Everything seemed to happen very quickly.” When Jewish Agency staff learned the older daughter had to give up her scooter at the gate prior to boarding the plane, they reached out to ICEJ for help. On the family’s first day out of quarantine, they were warmly greeted by ICEJ staff who presented them with a new scooter, bike and new twin stroller. It is always a joy to meet the families who arrive in Israel on ICEJsponsored flights, and the ability to present them with “something they left behind” only adds to the blessing. What does it mean for his family to finally arrive in Israel? “To come to Israel was like a call in our blood”, he said. “Here I feel at home... This is a safe place for children, and it is paradise on earth.”
“In my mind, I expected to give birth in Israel”, Tatyana recounted. “But due to Coronavirus, our flight was delayed multiple times and I would soon be forbidden to fly. We began to lose heart.” “Then suddenly, as if a gift of fate, we received word that our flight was May 12”, she continued. “This was the last date I would be allowed to fly with my pregnancy. Suddenly we were packing suitcases and making arrangements. We had only four days. Everything happened instantly!”
“First, I want to thank the Israeli consul for accepting our appointment during quarantine. Even though the Embassy staff were not at work, we submitted passports through the guards, and were then approved”, recalled Serguei.
And follow our progress in this urgent Aliyah campaign at: on.icej.org/rescue250
Ready to embrace their future here in the Jewish homeland, Serguei and Tatyana are both very grateful to the ICEJ and Christians around the world who helped them along the way. “I would like to thank the ICEJ for assisting us to make Aliyah. You help people make their dreams come true. Thank you so much for your support”, said Tatyana.
Seat Available Seat Purchased
ICEJ AID
A DAY WITH THE DRUZE
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BY LAURINA DRIESSE
ith an early start to a sunshinefilled day, there was much excitement as the ICEJ staff set out from Jerusalem one morning in early June to visit the Druze community of Hurfeish, just four kilometers from Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.
BRINGING HOPE TO CHRISTIANS IN NAZARETH
However, those living in the northern periphery far from the economic center of the country face other challenges as well. High rates of unemployment or under-employment as well as a lack of urban development create barriers to economic growth for both individuals and communities. Investment in education is essential to improve opportunities for women and young people.
B Y K AY L A M U C H N I K
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azareth is the city where Jesus grew up and it once boasted a Christian majority. But now it is predominantly (69%) Muslim. Nevertheless, a Christian minority (30%) remains and they currently are facing the many challenges of the Coronavirus crisis, like everyone else. Governmentmandated quarantines for the elderly and the closure of businesses has caused economic and emotional suffering for many. Our ICEJ AID team visited Nazareth just as Israel began to lift restrictions. We met elderly Christian residents, many with health challenges, who were greatly in need of encouragement and extra help. On this visit, we were able to assist twenty Arab Christian families with boxes of groceries and food coupons. Despite their hardships, each home offered warm hospitality with cake and coffee. However, the most precious part of our visit by far was the prayer and worship time we shared together in three languages – Arabic, Hebrew and English! One older couple thanked us for the gifts with tears and smiles. It lifted them amid a difficult time: The father has cancer, the mother recently underwent hip surgery and can only walk with crutches, the daughter’s husband is out of work, and a nephew was recently diagnosed with a serious illness as well. Their faith remains strong and was strengthened even more to have brothers and sisters come alongside them with encouragement, made possible through the generosity of Christians from around the world.
Unfortunately, a severe shortage of adequate bomb shelters along the border means that communities there are ill-prepared for Hizbullah rocket attacks. This is a reality that authorities are working to correct and the ICEJ, due to the generosity of our German supporters, will soon deliver two portable shelters to the Hurfeish Cultural Center – a focus of Druze youth activity and community life.
A close-knit, Arabic-speaking minority, the Israeli Druze live mostly in small towns nestled in the Carmel range, Upper Galilee and Golan Heights. While their unique cultural and religious practices differentiate them from other Israeli Arabs, they especially stand out due to their steadfast loyalty as Israeli citizens who serve honourably and with pride in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Besides the residents of Hurfeish, some 250,000 other Israelis live within nine kilometers of the Lebanese border in a hilly, pastoral area that belies underlying tensions. Stick around for a while, though, and one is likely to experience a disruption of that deceptive tranquility – a fact underlined by the recent IDF discovery of six underground tunnels which Hizbullah terrorists intended to use to infiltrate Israeli border communities.
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ICEJ staff learn about Israel’s northern border with Lebanon To address these needs, the ICEJ is enriching Druze schools in partnership with local leaders by providing such things as computer labs, upgrading libraries, or adding a music room. Our most recent project includes sponsoring an Aviators Program that works in conjunction with the Israeli Air Force and the Ilan Ramon Centre. Currently two Druze schools participate in this
ICEJ AID
program, which aims to develop positive social and ethical leadership among youth, setting a foundation for responsible citizenship. Mentors encourage young people to dream big, then motivate them to achieve success by accomplishing small goals one step at a time. One highlight of the program is interaction with Israeli air force pilots, who act as role-models and meet monthly with the youth to inspire them towards excellence at school and in all they do. A local English teacher confided that she wished her own children were able to be in this program.
“We’ve seen such amazing change and progress in the children participating that we couldn’t believe it”, she said. “We’re hoping to expand to all schools in the Druze sector.”
in the IDF Special Units and his passion for education to help the next generation achieve a better future. We share his passion to strengthen Israel and know that lifting up all her people is key to realizing it.
The ICEJ staff outing then took us to Misgav Am, which provides a high vantage point for looking over the border into southern Lebanon. Afterwards, we tasted warm Druze hospitality while harvesting ripe-red cherries at an orchard in the Golan, followed by a satisfying Mediterranean-style dinner in Kfar Buq’ata, a Druze village near the foot of Mt. Hermon. Before travelling back to Jerusalem, our host, Mofid Aamer, shared about his 28 years of service
Your generous giving enables us to provide a future and a hope to the next generation in Israel.
ICEJ staff at a Druze cherry orchard in the Golan region
PLEASE DONATE TO THE ICEJ TODAY AT: ICEJ.ORG/AID
#GIVINGTUESDAY SHELTERS DELIVERED TO KFAR SILVER
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BY LAURINA DRIESSE
hile the ICEJ has been helping Israel deal with the Coronavirus crisis, there is another threat which has faced the nation over many years that we are continuing to address – the threat of Hamas rocket fire from Gaza. In May, the Christian Embassy delivered three life-saving portable bomb shelters to an Israeli community along the Gaza border, while another eight shelters are to be delivered to the area soon.
residents of Kfar Silver made video appeals for the campaign, describing how their students are vulnerable to sudden rocket attacks from nearby Gaza, as villagers there have less than 30 seconds to find shelter when the red alert sounds.
The three shelters were donated to kibbutz Kfar Silver, located between northern Gaza and Ashkelon, which operates a special youth village that is home to some 250 resident children from new immigrant families and from broken homes. The youth village also houses schools for another 700 students from the surrounding region. It was chosen to receive the shelters because they did not have adequate protection for the children when they were out on the playground or in the new classrooms recently set up near the main school buildings.
The residents of Kfar Silver were elated to hear that their appeals for help had touched the hearts of Christians from all over the world to give to this need, as donations for the shelters came in from Mexico, the Philippines, Finland, Australia, Barbados, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, and the USA.
The ICEJ raised the funds for two of the bomb shelters through a “Giving Tuesday” online donation campaign back in December. Several
The two #GivingTuesday shelters were placed beside a playground and new classrooms at the Sadot Silver elementary school. The third shelter was donated by the ICEJ-USA branch and was placed in an area where the staff of the youth village reside, so they too could have adequate protection from the rocket threat from Gaza. “We are very glad to have these shelters”, said Leo, head of the Sadot Silver parents’ committee. “When I sent the photos of their delivery out to the parents, my phone was immediately full of ‘thank you’ messages. Everything is coming together in a better place for us.”
Watch the video at on.icej.org/shelters 15 | WORD FROM JERUSALEM
ICEJ AID
HELPING SINGLE MOTHERS FEED THEIR STRUGGLING FAMILIES
to provide financial assistance for their children. Surveys indicate that 19% of Jewish women in the process of divorce are being denied a “get” (divorce certificate) – that is almost 3,000 women per year in Israel alone.
B Y I C E J A I D S TA F F For three days in May, the ICEJ AID team journeyed throughout Israel to deliver food baskets to single parent families. Many were headed by Jewish single mothers who are trapped in unhealthy marriages, unable to get free due to religious laws which only grant men the right to divorce. With Israel’s unemployment skyrocketing due to the Coronavirus, many families have been struggling to make ends meet. And unfortunately, not every shuttered home was safe during the recent lockdown. With domestic violence on the rise, sadly many vulnerable women and children faced abuse. Others were left bereft of any support from husbands and fathers. One social worker told us about “Batya”, a woman in her care who had enjoyed a wonderful marriage until her husband began to develop Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, as well as severe phobias and anxieties. As his mental situation deteriorated, he would not allow her to touch the children because they attended a school next to a cemetery, and he was fearful she would become ‘impure’. Batya could prepare their lunches each morning, but she was forced to retreat to her room once they arrived home from school. For two years she could not hug her children and sobbed alone in her room. Finally, Batya gathered the courage to leave this heartbreaking situation and was awarded full custody of the children, but her Orthodox husband still refused to give her a divorce. She now suffers from depression and feelings of guilt and inadequacy. For Israeli Jews, religious courts handle marriage and divorce issues according to Jewish law, which only gives the man the right to grant a divorce to a woman. This reality leaves many women, known as “agunot”, susceptible to abuse and chained to unloving or unviable marriages. The women cannot remarry or bear more children, even though the men may go on with their lives and start new families. And too often, the men refuse
RESILIENCE IN ADVERSITY ICEJ DONATES SAFE ROOMS FOR NEGEV TRAUMA CENTER BY LAURINA DRIESSE
I
magine you are a mother on a leisurely stroll down a walking path with your eight-year-old son. Suddenly, you hear the all-too-familiar sound of a click followed by a voice over a public
Many of these women feel alone and worn down by the ordeal, and any family break-up is sad. Nevertheless, it is inspiring to see the courageous way these ‘agunot’ women have sought help and continue to do their best to protect and provide for their children without the father’s help. As we travelled from city to city, home to home, delivering food baskets, some of the agunot mothers lacked words to express their gratitude and simply beamed a smile. Others embraced us and invited us in for a drink. One mother, Ilanit*, shared that her life has been tough. Currently, she and her 12-year-old son, Daniel*, are both in counseling to work through emotional scars of the past. Nevertheless, both Ilanit and her son have beautiful smiles and remain positive. Our food basket brought a lot of joy. Daniel straight away undertook to investigate the food basket, and then jumped up and down when he discovered his favorite items like spaghetti, black tea and chocolate. On the spot, they decided spaghetti would be on the menu that very night. As we walked back to the car, Daniel accompanied us and continued to thank us! Ilanit’s faith and appreciation was also evident. As we spoke together, she shared, “It can only become better! God has a plan and watches over us. My heart is overflowing with thanksgiving for how I am cared for.” Returning from the long journey, our hearts were overflowing with gratitude for the generosity of our Christian friends worldwide, who despite their own challenges in recent months, have allowed us to bring encouragement and practical help to Israeli single mothers struggling to feed their children. *Names were changed to protect the families.
Join us in continuing to provide hope to many other families like Ilanit and Daniel! MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY AT: ICEJ.ORG/ICEJ-AID Watch the video at on.icej.org/singlemothers
address system. Your heart beats faster! It feels like a thousand butterflies swirling in your stomach. You know what is coming next, as a commanding voice yells: Tseva Adom! Tseva Adom! (“Color Red!”) There is not even time for the siren. You instinctively know a rocket is coming and you have only a few precious seconds to find shelter. At that moment, your small son starts running after an even younger girl on the path and says: “Mommy, Mommy, she lives far away – I will go 1 6 | JULY/AUGUST 2020
and take care of her.” Then he realizes, “but who will take care of me?” and returns to your side. Sadly, this is a true story and but one example of the harsh reality which Israelis in the southern Israeli town of S’dot Negev live with every day. S’dot Negev is located within three kilometers of the very volatile Gaza border. Civilians here are confronted by the threat of underground terror tunnels popping up into their area, the constant challenge of explosive balloons flying
ICEJ AID/HOMECARE
overhead, and the ever-present fear of Hamas rocket attacks. At times, their area is battered by barrages of up to 300 rockets in one day! In response, the S’dot Negev Resilience Centre was opened to provide a place of refuge and healing for traumatized families in the community and surrounding region, offering short-term counselling and coping strategies. The clinic manager, Esther Marcos, says their approach is “therapy and treatment for after the effect, but a lot of preventative work as well”. The work of the Resilience Centre has expanded from four to now twelve qualified therapists working with children, families and groups from across the region. It has seen a recent influx of teenagers and men who are suffering from stress. The Resilience Centre needed to be enlarged, but first required a safe room to shelter people during a rocket attack. The ICEJ learned of this need and leapt into action. “We felt such an urgency to help when we understood that those suffering psychological stress were left unprotected when looking for help and healing”, recalled Nicole Yoder, ICEJ Vice President for Aid and Aliyah. Thanks to a generous donation from Dr. Garth and Tina Coonce of TCT Christian television network in partnership with ICEJ-USA, we were able to build the necessary safe room. It is made of reinforced steel and can withstand a direct rocket hit. During a special dedication ceremony in early June, an ICEJ team watched as a mezuzah was placed on the door frame along with a dedication plaque expressing our hope that this safe room would “provide protection and comfort to our dear Israeli friends”. Nicole Yoder immediately noticed how much larger and nicer the whole remodeled facility was now compared to her initial visit. “I can hardly recognize the place”, she told her hosts. “It is great to see what else we helped to happen by giving the shelter room. May this room provide peace of mind”. Concluding the dedication, Esther Marcos assured us: “The children and families are saying thank you”!
Because of the support of our faithful donors, the ICEJ continues to impact many lives in the Negev and across the nation. Please help us to bless and comfort Israel today. GIVE AT ICEJ.ORG/AID
A HIDDEN STORY REVEALED B Y: M A X I N E C A R L I L L
The thought of Leah, a 90-year-old Holocaust Survivor, being alone through the Jewish holidays suddenly prompted Corrie of ICEJ Homecare to call on her even though it was a non-working day. Corrie and her assistant entered Leah’s room, and within mere moments of hearing Corrie’s familiar voice, Leah passed away. Despite a heavy heart, Corrie was still thankful for the Lord’s leading that day which brought her to Leah’s bedside so she was not alone in her last moments in this life. Twelve years before, this highly educated lady suffered a stroke which robbed her freedom and mobility soon after immigrating to Israel. She was forced to move in with family members who found it difficult to care for an elderly invalid, so Homecare’s weekly visits were a highlight. “My week goes from Wednesday to Wednesday because then you are coming,” Leah would often tell the ICEJ team. Not long before Leah died, Corrie asked her, “What were the highlights of your life?” She responded, “I have no highlights. My life was difficult.” As a twelve-year-old, Leah and her family fled Rostov in Russia, where the occupying Nazis mass murdered between
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15,000 and 18,000 Jews. The family knew only fear, hunger and exhaustion as they walked for days on end towards the unknown. Corrie gently persevered if there was anything for which she was particularly thankful. As she held her hand, Leah began to share: “After days of walking we reached a farm and were given a place of safety in the pig barn. That evening, through the kindness of the farmer, we received a bowl of soup. I never ate in my life such a good and tasty soup, and after that I made a pillow from hay to sleep on that night. That evening, as a girl of 12 years old, I promised myself to be thankful the rest of my life for this plate of soup and the pillow of hay.” Corrie had no words but gave Leah a hug. She thanked God for the ability to walk alongside this precious Russian Jewish lady. There are others like Leah who carry hidden stories in their hearts from past traumas, yet we are honoured to share these difficult and precious memories with them. Partner with the ICEJ today, as we give God’s hope to elderly Jews in their last days!
Visit: icej.org/homecare
FEAST OF TABERNACLES 2020
JOIN OUR GLOBAL FEAST 2020 2-8 OCTOBER 2020 SPONSORED BY
THE INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN EMBASSY JERUSALEM
PREPARE
the way
Despite the Corona crisis, this year’s annual Feast of Tabernacles celebration in October will be more exciting than ever! Join us for an inspiring seven-day worship experience from Jerusalem for a global online audience. You will feel like you are right here with us in Jerusalem! The Global Feast 2020 will come to you from amazing locations in Jerusalem and around Israel. Enjoy powerful biblical messages from local Israeli and international ministers, as well as anointed performances by some of your favorite worship artists from Israel and abroad. The online Feast package also will include informative seminars with insights into Israel, Current Events, Bible Prophecy, Christian Zionism, the Feast of Tabernacles, Archaeology, interests to Young Adults, and so much more.
THE FEAST WILL TAKE YOU TO:
QASR AL-YAHUD • the traditional site on the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized.
THE GARDEN TOMB • for an online Communion service with believers from around the world.
THE HULDA STEPS • the main entryway into the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
TOWER OF DAVID • overlooking the entrance to Jerusalem through Jaffa Gate. LUS THE KNESSET, YAD VASHEM, CITY OF DAVID, AND MANY OTHER IMPORTANT P LOCATIONS IN ISRAEL!
All of this and more will be available for you to view live or on demand for only $50.00. To find out more about registering for our online Global Feast 2020 package, go to: feast.icej.org
FEAST OF TABERNACLES 2020
Appear in Zion
YOU CAN ‘
’ THIS FEAST
There has been much enthusiasm among the nations about this year’s Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, which marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. So even with Corona, we are determined to make this the most exciting Feast ever!
WE ARE PLANNING AN EXCITING
ONLINE GLOBAL FEAST FOR OCTOBER 2020.
• I srael’s largest annual Christian gathering will become the world’s largest-ever Sukkot celebration! • W ith messages from local Israeli and international ministers and worship leaders! • Unprecedented Feast seminar options • 40 years of Feast Highlights made available online • Brought to you for seven days from Israel for only $50.00. The Bible instructs us to “keep the Feast” (Zechariah 14:16), and thus we will be holding the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem this year, come what may. So even if you are not able to make the journey up to Jerusalem this year, you can join us online. This is your chance to “appear in Zion” at the ICEJ Feast of Tabernacles 2020!
ICEJ PRAYER
ROSH CHODESH PRAYER
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ne positive outcome of the Corona crisis is the increased burden for prayer among the ICEJ’s global family. This is greatly encouraging! From the onset of Corona, the ICEJ initiated a weekly online Global Prayer Gathering which we co-hosted with Angus Buchan from South Africa and Peter Tsukahira from the Mt. Carmel congregation. These meetings have attracted believers from over 100 nations in recent months.
our heart was Rosh Chodesh, an overlooked biblical holiday which marks the beginning of the month on the Hebrew calendar. Our first Rosh Chodesh 24-hour prayer call took place on 22-23 June, and God was present from start to finish. For 24 hours, we sought the Lord in earnest prayer from dozens of locations around the globe and in many languages.
Then in late May, the ICEJ held a special Global Pentecost prayer marathon. Thousands of Christians from all around the world joined us for this 13-hour online prayer meeting, and many testified to tangibly feeling the presence of God during this prayer time even though it took place in cyberspace. Our national branches reported they wanted to repeat it, but 13 hours was not enough time.
“WHY ON ROSH CHODESH?” Rosh Chodesh is a joyous festival given to Israel on Mt Sinai. The blast of two silver trumpets were to signal the new moon and thus the new month (Numbers 10:10). God also commanded that special sacrifices be offered every new moon (Numbers 28:11-15). These celebrations became an integral part of Israel’s culture, when families held feasts and the king celebrated it with a banquet (1 Samuel 20:5-6). It also has a prophetic aspect, as the prophet Isaiah sees the day coming when all flesh will worship Him every Rosh Chodesh:
So we felt led to launch a special monthly 24hour watch to make room for this increased desire to pray. The date the Lord placed on
From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, declares the Lord (Isaiah 66:23).
THE FATHER’S HOUSE ON THE MT. OF OLIVES We were privileged to host some of our recent prayer events from a unique prayer house on the Mt. of Olives which has a spectacular view of the Golden Gate and Temple Mount (see photo). It has been used for decades by devout Christians, mainly from Germany, to intercede for Israel and the nations from this strategic location. The Evangelical Sisters of Mary were living there in June 1967 when Motti Gur and his troops were descending the hillside to take the Old City of Jerusalem, and they invited him in for a quick tea and prayers of encouragement. The noted German Christian publisher Axel Springer also often stayed in the prayer house and considered it his favourite place in Israel. Over recent decades, Berlin pastor Andreas Bauer has maintained a prayer ministry at the ‘Father’s House’, as he calls it. We are grateful to Pastor Andreas for opening the house for us to host some of our prayer events from this strategic location. 2 0 | JULY/AUGUST 2020
We thus feel to ‘blow a trumpet in Zion’ and invite all the nations to join us for this monthly prayer marathon. In biblical times, the trumpet call summoned the people to gather for war or for Temple rituals. This is a season when prayer is vitally important and this trumpet call needs to be heard around the world. Our prayer aims are straightforward: We will pray for revival worldwide, in your country, and in Israel. We will pray that Corona will lose its impact and that God will show up and bless this year’s Feast of Tabernacles more than ever! We will write more about the prophetic significance of the biblical festival of Rosh Chodesh. Meantime, we invite you to join us for these unique prayer times on the following dates:
22-23 JULY
20-21 AUGUST
18-19
SEPTEMBER (ROSH HASHANA)
Zoom link: on.icej.org/RoshChodesh!
Please check our online schedule for the exact hour when your own country/ language will be praying. VISIT: ICEJ.ORG/PRAYER
ICEJ INTERNATIONAL
ICEJ GLOBAL FAMILY MORE CONNECTED THAN EVER ONLINE B Y M O J M I R K A L L U S , I C E J V P F O R I N T E R N AT I O N A L A F F A I R S
W
ith global travel at a standstill and countries in lockdown due to the Corona pandemic, it would seem the work of the ICEJ’s international department would be on hold. But the opposite is true, as we have been busier than ever over recent months.
Regional Zoom conferences have already been held for Northern Europe, South-Eastern Europe, SouthEast Asia, and our French, Spanish and Russian speaking branches
The Christian Embassy was quick to launch online prayer meetings which reach thousands of people, and our offices around the world have played a key role. Our representatives invited local pastors and ministries to participate, which significantly raised awareness of our ministry in many parts of the world. It is fair to say the ICEJ has never had such a strong global presence, thanks to our dedicated network of more than 90 national offices on all continents. They form the backbone of strength for our ministry, and we are grateful for these faithful leaders from many backgrounds. We also quickly discovered that online meetings are easily accessible even to people in poor and remote areas; instead of spending large sums for travel many cannot afford, they just join us by computer from home. A perfect example was ICEJ’s International Leadership Conference which was held in May, completely online, with more countries participating than ever before. The feedback suggests we accomplished our goal of informing, teaching and strengthening our bonds as a global family. Such positive, productive experiences inspired us to start holding regional Zoom conferences. They have already been held for Northern Europe, South-Eastern Europe, South-East Asia, and our French, Spanish and
LATIN AMERICAN PRAYER NIGHTS INCLUDE ICEJ, ISRAEL B Y J AV I E R M A R T Í N E Z , I C E J M E X I C O N AT I O N A L D I R E C T O R
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n April 24, I was invited to share a word about the ICEJ and Israel during the first Latin American online prayer night organised by the Latin American Prayer Council, “CLAMOR”, an event now being held each last Friday of the month for the balance of 2020. Convened in response to Corona, the monthly prayer gathering seeks to represent “our Saviour to give an answer to humanity without hope, which is in total confusion, and does not receive a response from its leaders or rulers.” The convocation was endorsed by important networks of apostles, pastors and ministries in most Latin American countries.
Russian speaking branches, and more are to come. These regional Zoom conferences will supplement or replace regional conferences on the ground and enable more frequent exchange. They result in more corporate prayer, sharing of good practices and ideas, and coordination of events and projects between our offices. Dedicated Zoom licenses were procured for our global network so each regional leader can now schedule their own national or regional meetings. I am convinced some online elements will remain an integral part of our ministry even after global travel is restored. The Lord has inspired us to pursue creative solutions which make our ministry even more efficient and relevant.
It was broadcast via Zoom, FaceTime, Facebook, and on Spanish-speaking Christian TV channels in Guatemala, Colombia and the USA. The call reached 807,000 people! When adding the TV reach, the audience increased to some 3 million people. Israel and the ICEJ gained greater visibility among Christians in Latin America since all the panelists underscored the mandate and need to pray for Israel and participate in the Feast of Tabernacles 2020. Some members of this network are close to government authorities and are urging their governments to move their embassies to Jerusalem. Among them are Bolivia, El Salvador and Chile. The second prayer night was held on May 29, and the exposure to Israel and the ICEJ was even greater. A video greeting by ICEJ President Dr. Jürgen Bühler was viewed by 7.1 million participants, either through TV, YouTube or Facebook.
After these two prayer nights, we also gained many more Spanish-speaking participants in the ICEJ’s own online prayer events on Pentecost Sunday in May and the initial Rosh Chodesh prayer watch in June.
EMBASSY RESOURCES // WWW.ICEJSTORE.COM
DR. DAVID PAWSON’S TEACHING SERIES (FEAST OF TABERNACLES) -
AUDIO DOWNLOAD
999 USD
A series of six seminars delivered at the 2011,2012 and 2016 Feasts of Tabernacles by David Pawson which discuss the issues of Jews, gentiles, book of Zechariah 12-14 and Blessing and Curse of God.
2011 - 1. Jews: A Light to the Gentiles. 2. Gentiles: A Light to the Jews. 2012 - 1. Zechariah 12-14 part 1. 2. Zechariah 12-14 part 2. 2016 - 1. Blessings of God. 2. Curse of God.
DR. DAVID PAWSON’S SET, 6 DVDS + BOOK WHERE IS JESUS NOW? DVD+BOOK
This set includes 6 DVDs of the amazing teachings from the 2011, 2012 and 2016 Feast of Tabernacles’ seminars by David Pawson and one of his books Where Is Jesus Now? A series of six seminars delivered at the 2011/12 and 2016 Feasts of Tabernacles by David Pawson which discuss the issues of Jews, Gentiles, book of Zechariah 12-14 and Blessing and Curse of God.
3999 USD
2011 - 1. Jews: A Light to the Gentiles. 2. Gentiles: A Light to the Jews. 2012 - 1. Zechariah 12-14 part 1. 2. Zechariah 12-14 part 2. 2016 - 1. Blessings of God. 2. Curse of God.
BELIEVING GOD BY R.T. KENDALL SALE
24 USD
Hebrews 11 is a description of people who persisted in faith. With one or two exceptions (as Abel, verse 4) Hebrews does not describe saving faith but persistent faith. Saving faith does not guarantee our inheritance; persisting in faith does. Saving faith guarantees Heaven; persistent faith results in seeing God do in your life what He did in the lives of those described in Hebrews 11.
MIGHTY - כמים רביםWORSHIP CD Enjoy these beautiful worship songs in Hebrew, produced by Pekka Simojoki and Vesna SALE Buehler, featuring various worship leaders from Israel (incl. Shilo Ben Hod, Birgitta Veksler, Vesna Buehler) and choir of young 20 USD believers from Israel. Includes booklet of song lyrics and lead song sheets in English and Hebrew.
MORE OF GOD BY R.T. KENDALL More of God is about moving beyond faith. It SALE is about getting more of God. Experiencing more of God. Every book in the Bible, especially the books of the New Testament, are written for this purpose. Take the letters; those who are addressed 22 USD were already saved. But the writers wanted their hearers to experience not just more knowledge about God but more of God. Everything in this book is designed to make you hungry. Thirsty. As you read, keep in mind that the ever-increasing hunger for more of God is from God.
WORD & SPIRIT
BY R.T. KENDALL WITH PAUL CAIN In the past there have been those who live their spiritual lives by biblical explanation only. At the same time others have based their theological dispositions on “signs and wonders” characterized by the Pentecostal/ Charismatic movement. 22 USD Popular teachers Paul Cain and R.T. Kendall believe that God is on the brink of releasing an era of unprecedented glory as the people of God “marry” together both the Word and the Spirit. SALE
VISIT OUR ONLINE STORE AND RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL PURCHASES! Go to: ICEJSTORE.COM and use discount code: 2 2 the | JULY/AUGUST 2020ICEJ2020WFJ – The special 10% discount for your purchases at Embassy Resources is valid throughout 2020
EMBASSY RESOURCES // WWW.ICEJSTORE.COM
PATTERNS OF EVIDENCE: THE MOSES CONTROVERSY
BROKEN SILENCE
BY BETTY BAUSCH-POLAK & LIESJE AUERBACH-POLAK Broken Silence tells the fascinating story of two Dutch Jewish sisters both of whom survived World War II. Betty, the elder sister, stayed in The Netherlands on false identities. Her husband joined the Resistance, was caught by the Germans and executed. 16 USD Betty was imprisoned, but miraculously survived the war. Liesje (Elisheva) was sent to the Bergen Belsen concentration camp in Germany. July 1944 she was selected as one of the 220 Jewish prisoners exchanged for German Templars living in Palestine. It saved her life.
LISTENING TO THE LANGUAGE OF THE BIBLE BY LOIS TVERBERG WITH BRUCE OKKEMA
The Bible speaks in words and phrases that come from a very different culture, place and time. Sometimes its Hebraic ideas and imagery sound foreign to our ears, but when we enter the minds of its ancient authors, we 20 USD discover great new depth and meaning. Come with us as we learn from the Bible’s rich phrases and imagery, and gain new insight on its words for our lives. SALE 9 USD
ISRAELI FLAG The Israel Flag Dimensions: 90 X 150cm (31.5 X 43.3 inches)
DVD
This thought-provoking and controversial film asks hard questions of some of the world’s leading experts in Egyptology, ancient Hebrew and early languages.
21 USD
Filmed in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Europe and the USA with stunning cinematography and life-like Biblical recreations, Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy will captivate audiences of all ages.
JERUSALEM COMPASS The Jerusalem Compass was developed in Jerusalem and is patented in the US. Instead of pointing north, it points only in the direction of Jerusalem from any point on the globe. Fashioned from pure solid brass, the lid is deeply embossed in the center 43 USD with a Jewish Star of David and the words "Jerusalem" in Hebrew and English. The outer edges are encircled with a delicate floral design of Pomegranates found on many ancient carvings in Jerusalem around the first Temple period.
ICEJ SHOMER PENDANT,
FAITHFUL T- SHIRT
Available in sizes XS-3XL
Official T-Shirt of the Feast of Tabernacles “Dare to Dream” 2018 12 USD
30 USD
24K GOLD PLATED
This unique pendant is designed with a replica of the ‘Zion Mule Corps' symbol on the front and the ICEJ logo encircled by Isaiah 62:6a in Hebrew on the back. This reminds us to be a ‘shomer’ or watchman for Jerusalem.
THE NEW JERUSALEM - ANOINTING OIL
BRIDAL GARDEN, ROSE OF SHARON • 10ML
7 USD
This premium anointing oil has been hand crafted in Israel using extra virgin olive oil made from olive trees around Jerusalem. It has been scented and mixed according to ancient Hebrew recipes by using biblical essential oils and fragrances sourced from Middle and Far East. This bottle of anointing oil has been dedicated to God and soaked in prayer and it was officially tested for quality. 23 | WORD FROM JERUSALEM
Dear readers, The recent health and business restrictions imposed worldwide to curb the Coronavirus threat have made it difficult to print and mail by post our bimonthly Word From Jerusalem magazine as usual. In many nations, postal services have been temporarily suspended or greatly reduced, with bulk print mailings given low priority. This could mean long delays before you receive our upcoming publications. For this reason, we would encourage you to keep up to date on our latest projects and events by following the ICEJ online, either at our Website int.icej.org or at Facebook.com/ICEJOfficial. We also request that, if you have not done so already, please subscribe to our weekly Ministry Updates by email at: int.icej.org/join The Christian Embassy has been very active over recent months in helping Israel through the Corona crisis. We want to make sure you stay informed on all we are doing, so your support of our work is more timely and effective in impacting Israel. Blessings from Jerusalem!
Dr JĂźrgen BĂźhler ICEJ President
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